Download Why I Believe In Jesus

By design, our lives are filled with
challenges and change.

The uncertainty and suffering from the fall
of man can bring us closer to God.
By design, our lives are filled with
challenges and change.
The uncertainty and suffering from the fall
of man can bring us closer to God.
 What if God had not cursed the earth and
allowed death and suffering to abound?
(Gen 3:17-19)

By design, our lives are filled with
challenges and change.

Genesis 3:17-19 - Then to Adam He said,
"Because you have heeded the voice of your
wife, and have eaten from the tree of which
I commanded you, saying, 'You shall not eat
of it': "Cursed is the ground for your sake;
In toil you shall eat of it All the days of your
life. 18 Both thorns and thistles it shall
bring forth for you, And you shall eat the
herb of the field.
By design, our lives are filled with
challenges and change.
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19 In the sweat of your face you shall eat
bread Till you return to the ground, For out
of it you were taken; For dust you are, And
to dust you shall return.“
By design, our lives are filled with
challenges and change.

Suffering and uncertainty help us to see our
need of God and the vanity of the temporary
things! (Psa 90:12; 2 Cor 4:16-18)
By design, our lives are filled with
challenges and change.

Psalm 90:12 - So teach us to number our
days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.
By design, our lives are filled with
challenges and change.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 - Therefore we do
not lose heart. Even though our outward
man is perishing, yet the inward man is
being renewed day by day. 17 For our light
affliction, which is but for a moment, is
working for us a far more exceeding and
eternal weight of glory,
By design, our lives are filled with
challenges and change.
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18 while we do not look at the things which
are seen, but at the things which are not
seen. For the things which are seen are
temporary, but the things which are not seen
are eternal.
By design, our lives are filled with
challenges and change.

As we advance in life we will go through
life changing events and stages.
By design, our lives are filled with
challenges and change.
As we advance in life we will go through
life changing events and stages.
 We see such stages when we see those that
graduate from school and take the next step
in their lives.

By design, our lives are filled with
challenges and change.

The wisdom of the scriptures helps us
greatly navigate this life as we live for the
Lord.
Taking the step of building our foundation
on Christ

Do you remember when you were baptized
into Christ? That was a big step to a new
life. (2 Cor 5:17)
Taking the step of building our foundation
on Christ

2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore, if anyone
is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things
have passed away; behold, all things have
become new.
Taking the step of building our foundation
on Christ

Everything is NEW! That is a joy and a
challenge.
Taking the step of building our foundation
on Christ

I remember how inadequate I felt in Bible
class and in general conversations with
Christians. “I will never know as much
about the Bible as they do! They were so
fortunate to have been raised in a good
church!”
Taking the step of building our foundation
on Christ

I pursued every opportunity to grow that I
could. I was excited when a young
preacher agreed to take time to study with
me and answer my questions.
Taking the step of building our foundation
on Christ

In time people would comment that my zeal
was encouraging to them. I assumed that
everyone else had the same zeal too!
(Titus 2:13-14)
Taking the step of building our foundation
on Christ
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Titus 2:13-14 - looking for the blessed hope
and glorious appearing of our great God and
Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself
for us, that He might redeem us from every
lawless deed and purify for Himself His
own special people, zealous for good works.
Taking the step of building our foundation
on Christ

What I was doing was to dig deep and place
a foundation in Christ. (Lk 6:48-49)
Taking the step of building our foundation
on Christ
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Luke 6:48-49 - "He is like a man building a
house, who dug deep and laid the foundation
on the rock. And when the flood arose, the
stream beat vehemently against that house, and
could not shake it, for it was founded on the
rock. 49 "But he who heard and did nothing is
like a man who built a house on the earth
without a foundation, against which the stream
beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And
the ruin of that house was great.“
Taking the step of building our foundation
on Christ
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I learned how to trust God in my daily
decisions. (Mt 6:33)
Taking the step of building our foundation
on Christ
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Matthew 6:33 - "But seek first the kingdom
of God and His righteousness, and all these
things shall be added to you.
Taking the step of building our foundation
on Christ
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I learned to worship God daily and place
my burdens on Him. (Mt 11:28-30)
Taking the step of building our foundation
on Christ
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Matthew 11:28-30 - "Come to Me, all you
who labor and are heavy laden, and I will
give you rest. 29 "Take My yoke upon you
and learn from Me, for I am gentle and
lowly in heart, and you will find rest for
your souls. 30 "For My yoke is easy and
My burden is light.
Taking the step of building our foundation
on Christ
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I came to long for the time I could be with
my Lord forever. This changed how I
viewed success.
Taking the step of building our foundation
on Christ
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Suffering and change brought me closer to
God. (Heb 10:32-25; 13:5-6)
Taking the step of building our foundation
on Christ
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Hebrews 10:32-35 - But recall the former
days in which, after you were illuminated,
you endured a great struggle with
sufferings: 33 partly while you were made
a spectacle both by reproaches and
tribulations, and partly while you became
companions of those who were so treated;
Taking the step of building our foundation
on Christ
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34 for you had compassion on me in my
chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering
of your goods, knowing that you have a
better and an enduring possession for
yourselves in heaven. 35 Therefore do not
cast away your confidence, which has great
reward.
Taking the step of building our foundation
on Christ
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My relationships changed because of the
faith I now had in the Lord.
Taking the step of building our foundation
on Christ
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With this foundation I was ready to take the
next step in the changes life would bring as
the Lord provided for me.
Taking the Next Step in finding a job
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This requires integrity and wisdom.
Taking the Next Step in finding a job
This requires integrity and wisdom.
 Why should I take a job? Jesus spent most
of His like at a job. (Mk 6:3)
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Taking the Next Step in finding a job
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Mark 6:3 - "Is this not the carpenter, the
Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses,
Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters
here with us?" And they were offended at
Him.
Taking the Next Step in finding a job
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I want to work in order to provide and serve
others. (Eph 4:28; 2 Thess 3:10-12)
Taking the Next Step in finding a job
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Ephesians 4:28 - Let him who stole steal
no longer, but rather let him labor, working
with his hands what is good, that he may
have something to give him who has need.
Taking the Next Step in finding a job
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2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 - For even when we
were with you, we commanded you this: If
anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. 11
For we hear that there are some who walk
among you in a disorderly manner, not
working at all, but are busybodies. 12 Now
those who are such we command and exhort
through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in
quietness and eat their own bread.
Taking the Next Step in finding a job
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Should I take any job? What impact will the
job have on my service to God? Will my job
require me to do things that a Christian
cannot?
Taking the Next Step in finding a job
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Dangers to avoid in a job.
Taking the Next Step in finding a job
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Bitterness and envy at another who receives
the promotion or recognition that you
deserved! (1 Sam 18:7-9)
Taking the Next Step in finding a job
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1 Samuel 18:7-9 - So the women sang as they
danced, and said: "Saul has slain his thousands,
And David his ten thousands." 8 Then Saul
was very angry, and the saying displeased him;
and he said, "They have ascribed to David ten
thousands, and to me they have ascribed only
thousands. Now what more can he have but the
kingdom?" 9 So Saul eyed David from that
day forward.
Taking the Next Step in finding a job
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Stress and Worry over the bills?
(Phil 4:11-13, Jn 16:33)
Taking the Next Step in finding a job
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Philippians 4:11-13 - Not that I speak in
regard to need, for I have learned in
whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I
know how to be abased, and I know how to
abound. Everywhere and in all things I have
learned both to be full and to be hungry,
both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can
do all things through Christ who strengthens
me.
Taking the Next Step in finding a job
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John 16:33 - "These things I have spoken
to you, that in Me you may have peace. In
the world you will have tribulation; but be
of good cheer, I have overcome the world."
Taking the Next Step in finding a job
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We must work the time we have agreed.
Who is our boss? (Col 3:22-24)
Taking the Next Step in finding a job
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Colossians 3:22-24 - Bondservants, obey in
all things your masters according to the
flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers,
but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. 23
And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to
the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that
from the Lord you will receive the reward
of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord
Christ.
Taking the next step in finding a mate
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Is this person eligible to marry? (Mt 19:9)
Taking the next step in finding a mate
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Matthew 19:9 - "And I say to you, whoever
divorces his wife, except for sexual
immorality, and marries another, commits
adultery; and whoever marries her who is
divorced commits adultery.“
Taking the next step in finding a mate
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Those who may many fall into three groups.
Taking the next step in finding a mate
Those who may many fall into three groups.
 Those who have never married.
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Taking the next step in finding a mate
Those who may many fall into three groups.
 Those who have never married.
 Those whose mate has died.
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Taking the next step in finding a mate
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Those who have put away their mate for the
cause of fornication.
Taking the next step in finding a mate
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It is extremely foolish to date or keep close
company with someone who is not eligible
for marriage.
Taking the next step in finding a mate
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Marry someone who will help you go to
heaven. (1 Pt 3:7)
Taking the next step in finding a mate
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1 Peter 3:7 - Husbands, likewise, dwell
with them with understanding, giving honor
to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as
being heirs together of the grace of life, that
your prayers may not be hindered.
Taking the next step in finding a mate
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Only a living faith will be able to stand in
the hard decisions you must make in this
life. (Eph 6:16)
Taking the next step in finding a mate
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Ephesians 6:16 - above all, taking the
shield of faith with which you will be able
to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked
one.
Taking the next step in finding a mate
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Who can you really trust? The wisdom of
the world will hate the wisdom of God.
(1 Jn 4:4-6)
Taking the next step in finding a mate
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1 John 4:4-6 - You are of God, little
children, and have overcome them, because
He who is in you is greater than he who is
in the world. 5 They are of the world.
Therefore they speak as of the world, and
the world hears them. 6 We are of God. He
who knows God hears us; he who is not of
God does not hear us. By this we know the
spirit of truth and the spirit of error.
Taking the next step in finding a mate
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You do not marry someone like this by
accident! Do you realize the great
opportunities God will give you in response
to your prayers?
Taking the next step in building a home
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The future of the church is directly related
to the home and to evangelism.
Taking the next step in building a home
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What is the ultimate purpose of a home?
(Eph 6:1-4)
Taking the next step in building a home
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Ephesians 6:1-4 - Children, obey your
parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2
"Honor your father and mother," which is
the first commandment with promise: 3
"that it may be well with you and you may
live long on the earth." 4 And you, fathers,
do not provoke your children to wrath, but
bring them up in the training and
admonition of the Lord.
Taking the next step in building a home
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This has to become a passion, a daily
purpose.
Taking the next step in building a home
This has to become a passion, a daily
purpose.
 What happens if you marry one who does
not have a living faith? (Some “raised in the
church” will be bigger problems than many
in the world.)
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Taking the next step in building a home
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Every parent becomes a teacher. Become
the best teacher you can! (Deut 6:4-9)
Taking the next step in building a home
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Deuteronomy 6:4-9 - " Hear, O Israel: The
LORD our God, the LORD is one! 5 "You
shall love the LORD your God with all your
heart, with all your soul, and with all your
strength. 6 " And these words which I
command you today shall be in your heart.
Taking the next step in building a home
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7 "You shall teach them diligently to your
children, and shall talk of them when you sit
in your house, when you walk by the way,
when you lie down, and when you rise up.
8 "You shall bind them as a sign on your
hand, and they shall be as frontlets between
your eyes. 9 "You shall write them on the
doorposts of your house and on your gates.
Taking the next step in building a home
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Years ago a man owned a hardware store
and lamented how little he knew about the
Bible. A preacher gently challenged him.
Taking the next step in building a home
Years ago a man owned a hardware store
and lamented how little he knew about the
Bible. A preacher gently challenged him.
 Do not underestimate what you children can
learn. (Ex. Pokémon cards)

Taking the next step in building a home
Years ago a man owned a hardware store
and lamented how little he knew about the
Bible. A preacher gently challenged him.
 Do not underestimate what you children can
learn. (Ex. Pokémon cards)
 Your children will know when you mean it!

Taking the next step in sudden changes
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What sudden changes will be in store for
your life? (Hab 3:16-19)
Taking the next step in sudden changes
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Habakkuk 3:16-19 - When I heard, my
body trembled; My lips quivered at the
voice; Rottenness entered my bones; And I
trembled in myself, That I might rest in the
day of trouble. When he comes up to the
people, He will invade them with his troops.
Taking the next step in sudden changes
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17 Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor
fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the
olive may fail, And the fields yield no food;
Though the flock may be cut off from the fold,
And there be no herd in the stalls -- 18 Yet I
will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God
of my salvation. 19 The LORD God is my
strength; He will make my feet like deer's feet,
And He will make me walk on my high hills...
Taking the next step in sudden changes
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Church? Health? Death? Relationships?
Taking the next step in sudden changes

Whatever the Lord allows in your life, He
will provide if you will trust Him.
Taking the next step in sudden changes
Whatever the Lord allows in your life, He
will provide if you will trust Him.
 What is a foundation for? (Mt 7:24-27)
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Taking the next step in sudden changes
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Matthew 7:24-27 - " Therefore whoever
hears these sayings of Mine, and does them,
I will liken him to a wise man who built his
house on the rock: 25 "and the rain
descended, the floods came, and the winds
blew and beat on that house; and it did not
fall, for it was founded on the rock.
Taking the next step in sudden changes

26 "But everyone who hears these sayings
of Mine, and does not do them, will be like
a foolish man who built his house on the
sand: 27 "and the rain descended, the
floods came, and the winds blew and beat
on that house; and it fell. And great was its
fall.”
Taking the next step in sudden changes

Let us never forget our daily need for God
and his presence!